UK police probe more Weinstein assault claims

LONDON: British police are investigating allegations that US film mogul Harvey Weinstein (right) sexually assaulted a second woman in London, the Press Association news agency reported Sunday.

Scotland Yard, which was already probing one allegation made by one woman against Weinstein, is now looking at three further allegations made by a second woman, PA said, citing sources.

“On Oct 11, Merseyside Police referred an allegation of sexual assault to the Metropolitan Police Service,” Scotland Yard said in a statement received by AFP.

“It is alleged that a man sexually assaulted a woman (victim 1) in the late 1980s in west London.

“On Oct 14, further allegations were made against the same man. It is alleged that the man sexually assaulted a woman (victim 2) in Westminster in 2010 and 2011, and in Camden in 2015,” both areas in London.

“Officers from the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command are investigating the allegations. There has been no arrest at this stage.”

The British police do not name suspects who have not been charged.

An avalanche of claims have surfaced since the publication last week of an explosive report by The New York Times newspaper alleging a history of abusive behaviour by Weinstein dating back decades.

Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.

Weinstein’s films have received more than 300 Oscar nominations and 81 statuettes, according to The Weinstein Company, which he co-founded after selling Miramax. — AFP